WWE SmackDown Preview: Brock Lesnar’s epic reunion with Paul Heyman, Roman Reigns’ master plan in the works? (24th December, 2021)

We are all set for this week’s episode of WWE SmackDown. Tonight’s show has a lot of interesting plans in store for viewers, including title opportunities, championship matches, and much-awaited confrontations.

With the Day 1 pay-per-view fast approaching, the writers will look to work on building up the biggest rivalries on the blue brand.

Here, we look at the things that could transpire on WWE SmackDown this week. So, without further ado, let’s begin.

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#6 Brock Lesnar reunites with Paul Heyman on WWE SmackDown

Last week, the alliance between Universal Champion Roman Reigns and Paul Heyman ended on WWE SmackDown. The Tribal Chief returned following a week’s absence and confronted his Wiseman regarding his loyalty.

He hugged Heyman before unceremoniously firing him. Reigns then hit his former councilor with a Superman Punch and prepared to launch a vicious attack.

However, he was interrupted by Brock Lesnar, who promptly walked out to save his former advocate. He stole the final moments of the show by brutally attacking Roman Reigns and The Usos.

The Beast Incarnate has been nothing short of brilliant since turning babyface, and his actions in the past week have shown that he still has a soft corner for Paul Heyman.

As confirmed already, Heyman will address the recent turn of events on WWE SmackDown on tonight’s show. It wouldn’t be too far-fetched to imagine a potential reunion between Heyman and Lesnar.

The duo hasn’t worked together for a long time, and it will be interesting to see them on the same page for the time being.

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#5 Roman Reigns’ master plan on WWE SmackDown

Paul Heyman has been one of the focal points of the ongoing Universal Championship feud between Brock Lesnar and Roman Reigns on WWE SmackDown.

His loyalty towards Reigns and his past relationship with Lesnar has added another layer to this storyline. Thus, it is also possible that Roman Reigns has a master plan in the works.

We can’t totally rule out the possibility that Reigns fired Heyman to lay the groundwork for his reunion with Lesnar. However, Paul Heyman might still secretly be allied with The Tribal Chief and plan to double-cross Brock Lesnar during the title rematch at the Day 1 pay-per-view.

This would account for a good surprise in the high-stakes main event, albeit predictable.

Roman Reigns is likely to beat The Beast Incarnate's record of longest Universal Championship reign in history. Thus, we might not see the title change hands at Day 1.

Allowing Heyman to betray Lesnar will both protect the latter and enable Reigns to extend his reign. There are several twists that could still unfold in this rivalry on the blue brand over the coming weeks, but this might be the biggest one.

#4 Toni Storm gets a shot at the WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship

Last week on WWE SmackDown, Toni Storm and Sasha Banks teamed up to face Charlotte Flair and Shotzi. The match ended with Storm pinning the women’s champion to pick up a victory for her team. It was a huge moment for her as she finally got the credible reason to challenge The Queen for the title.

Toni Storm struggled to get this championship shot for a long time and was humiliated on multiple occasions in the process. But now, she has a huge opportunity to establish herself as a top star in the SmackDown women’s division.

It is unlikely she will dethrone Charlotte Flair as the champion tonight, but we could still see their title feud extend until the Day 1 pay-per-view.

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#3 The Usos continue their WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship feud with The New Day

The Usos will put their WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championships on the line against King Woods and Sir Kofi Kingston at the Day 1 pay-per-view.

The two tag teams shared a long history in the promotion and have delivered some of the best tag team matches in the past. They are now heading towards another title bout and will look to intensify their feud on the show.

Woods has defeated both Jimmy and Jey Uso in recent weeks. The New Day has strong claims over the WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championships and will build momentum on the blue brand.

The Bloodline are focused on Roman Reigns’ feud with Brock Lesnar. King Woods and Sir Kofi Kingston could potentially join The Beast Incarnate in his confrontations with The Tribal Chief and his cousins.

#2 12-Man Gauntlet Match for a title shot on WWE SmackDown

Last week on WWE SmackDown, Sami Zayn approached Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville backstage to discuss how he unjustly lost his title opportunity. He demanded to be a part of the championship picture once again.

This led to Pearce and Deville revealing their plans for a huge 12-Man Gauntlet Match set to take place tonight.

The winner of this bout will get a shot at Shinsuke Nakamura’s Intercontinental Championship. Apart from Zayn, former world champions like Sheamus and Jinder Mahal will compete in the gauntlet match.

Other than that, the bout will also feature superstars like Ricochet and Cesaro, who could make for interesting challengers for Nakamura.

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#1 Other interesting feuds on WWE SmackDown

Drew McIntyre is currently involved in a feud with Happy Corbin and Madcap Moss. The duo stole his sword, and The Scottish Warrior was not the act’s biggest fan.

After a brief chase, Corbin stated that McIntyre would face Moss at the Day 1 pay-per-view. It is strange that the creative team are building towards a match between Drew McIntyre and Madcap Moss and not Happy Corbin. But things could change before the event.

On the other hand, we have Xia Li, who recently made her debut on WWE SmackDown. She tried to help Naomi during the latter’s feud with Sonya Deville, Shayna Baszler, and Natalya.

Li could be involved in a rivalry with Natalya on the show going forwards, and it would work well in establishing her “Protector” gimmick on the blue brand.